  
Andy Urbeck; vocals
Alex Espinosa; guitar, vocals
Winnie Neumann; bass vocals
Tom Glas; drums, vocals |
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Produced by: Hotwire
is second effort from German band Hotwire has been a long time coming, their self title debut recorded with the help of Bonfire men Claus Lessmann und Hans Ziller, originally surfaced at the tail end of '95. Whereas Hotwire was perhaps not surprisingly given the Lessmann / Ziller connection rather naive and at times hamfisted exercise in second rate Bonfire style party rock "Face another day" is an altogether more mature and sophisticated animal. For starters, this albums is divided roughly equaly between those bright and breezy style Bonfire rockers that Jaded Heart and, more recently, The Sygnet, do so well (each and everyone streets ahead of their earlier efforts); and some far more laid back semi -acoustic rockers in a similar vein to the recent Gotthard album. Second major change is that they've ditched the rather uninspiring Doc Blobner in favour of new guitarist and Rick Allen looalike Alex Espinosa. Not only is Espinosa a much better guiatrist, he's also much more involved in the writing process than his predecessor was, giving this much more of a valid band feel. After some artistic acoustric doodling "No words" (why do so many bands insist on giving what is basically an intro separate credits on the sleeve?), Hotwire launch into "Once in my life", a swaggering well constructed and executed slice of prime time Bonfire, which rapidl consigns their half baked former efforts to the scrap heap. Great melodies, nice harmonies, loads of atmosphere, a welcome surprise indeed. A swift about turn sees the band head off in a similar direction to Swiss rockers Gotthard for "Closer to the heart" and "Holdin' back the time", both excellent songs full of great hooks and cosmopolitan charm. Elsewhere, Hotwire show traces of a Great White blues inge, especially on "Under your skin" and the intro to "Daddy's Angel" before the latter veers off into early Fair Warning territory. "Waitin' for a sign" is the album's big ballad (catchy meldoies and a hooky chorus), "Save me" has a very heavy American feel, almost like West Coast AOR but with more balls and "Face another day" is full of melancholic vibes which draw you in further each time you hear them. I'll readily admit that I had the knife out for this one because I thought the debut was a pile of dross , but I'm pleased to report that this was a throughly enjoyable (if at a mere 45 minutes, breif) experience that left me keenly anticipating album number three. With "Face another day", Hotwire have most definitely come of age. A fine effort. Dave Cockett |
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